Weekly Bulletin. What you need to know this week

Finance Minister publishes Cost of Doing Business report
On Tuesday (6 May) Finance Minister John O’Dowd announced the publication of the ‘Cost of Doing Business Impact Report’, produced by the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre. The report found that the changes in Employer’s National Insurance Contributions and increases in the National Living Wage will have a major impact on employers across NI. It warned that the changes increase the risk of businesses resorting to “off-the-books” cash payments to employees. The report also cited wastewater infrastructure, planning, the grid connection policy, the Apprenticeship Levy, and the Windsor Framework as key economic issues facing the NI Executive. Minister O’Dowd held a roundtable following the report’s publication to update business bodies and NI Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) on the research and the wider budgetary context. He said that the report “reaffirms” that “decisions in Westminster are having a detrimental impact” on businesses, community and voluntary organisations, and public finances, but warned that the Executive does not have “the financial capability to mitigate against” those decisions.
What Next: Minister O’Dowd told the Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday (7 May), that he had forwarded a copy of the report to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury. He also said that he will be engaging with the Chief Secretary in relation to the independent assessment of need being undertaken by Professor Gerald Holtham, which is expected to be published next week.

Assembly votes in support of extending voting rights in Irish presidential election to Irish citizens in NI
On Tuesday (6 May), the Assembly debated a motion calling on the Irish Government to extend the right to vote in presidential elections to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. Opening the debate, Sinn Féin national chairperson Declan Kearney MLA noted that the 2013 Convention on the Constitution “overwhelmingly” recommended extending the franchise to all Irish citizens “in the North and abroad”. Mr Kearney said the current Irish Government was moving backwards on this commitment, adding: “The unacceptable democratic deficit should end.” DUP MLA Philip Brett said Sinn Féin had been “outsmarted, outmanoeuvred and out-greened” by Aontú, who recently submitted a bill to the Dáil that would change the constitution to extend the franchise to citizens in NI, subject to a referendum. He also stated that the Irish Government and public have “zero interest” in advancing the issue. Paula Bradshaw MLA spoke on behalf on the Alliance party in support of the motion, noting that the move has the potential “to strengthen the agreement and to advance reconciliation on the island”. The motion was passed 46-25, with Sinn Féin, SDLP, Alliance and People Before Profit MLAs voting in favour, the DUP and TUV voting against, and the UUP abstaining.
What Next: Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA asked if the Speaker’s Office would write to the Irish Government, given that the motion calls on them to act”.

Unionist politicians express concern that UK-US trade deal could harden Irish Sea border
Yesterday (8 May), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal that reduces tariffs on steel and cars, but will leave 10% baseline tariff on UK exports to the US in place. Many details are yet to be announced. The News Letter writes that unionist politicians in Northern Ireland are concerned about the impact that it may have on the Irish Sea trade border. UUP MLA Steve Aiken said: “The trade deal with the US, is, on the face of it, a good deal for the United Kingdom.” However, he warned that implications for NI will be “complex” and that “it is highly unlikely the EU will allow for greater flexibility in intra-UK trade”, referring to restrictions under the Windsor Framework. “Right now, rather than cautious optimism, it’s more likely to raise even more concerns about the Irish Sea Border”, he added. TUV leader Jim Allister said the deal was “likely to confirm the Union dismantling nature of the Windsor Framework”. Speaking to Cool FM News, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly emphasised that Northern Ireland must be able to take advantage of new trade deals, which were touted as a “Brexit benefit” in the run up to the 2016 referendum. “It is in the hands of the UK Government to be able to address these issues,” she added.
What Next: The UK’s ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson said the deal was “not the end, it’s the end just of the beginning”. He said both countries had more they could do to open up markets to each other.

Declan Kearney MLA (SF, South Antrim): “Hundreds of thousands of Irish citizens in the north are being denied our democratic right. Today the Assembly called on the Irish government to extend the franchise on Presidential voting rights. There should be no further delays. The Irish government must act now!”

NI Executive: “WATCH: Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the official opening of the UK Digital Twin Centre in Belfast, describing it as a bold step forward for innovation, collaboration and the digital future here”.

Alliance Party: “We have power to boost local charity funding by millions, says @sianalliance, launching PMB [Private Member’s Bill] consultation. Read more”.

Claire Hanna MP (SDLP, South Belfast): Was on Talkback about extending voting rights in Irish presidential elections. SDLP warmly supports this, albeit would prefer Irish Gov/ Dáil time focused on practical planning & convergence. Full chat here (yes, it did go in a predictable direction)”.

Robin Swann MP (UUP, South Antrim): Sharing best practice from across all four corners of our health service is what makes it a truly National NHS. I’m pleased to have secured assurances from the Government that the Get it Right First Time initiative will continue to apply to devolved regions. @NHSGIRFT”.

Jim Allister MP (TUV, North Antrim): “Great privilege to represent TUV and people of North Antrim today at the Commemoration Service for VE Day in Westminster Abbey. Nice to meet local RBL representatives from Ballymoney and Londonderry”.

Health Minister launches package of initiatives to tackle waiting lists
On Tuesday 6 May, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced a package of initiatives to tackle waiting lists. One of the initiatives was a Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme, which received an initial investment of £10 million. The first phase of the scheme will begin in June 2025 and will allow patients waiting two or more years to claim back costs of treatments in the Republic of Ireland. The second phase of the scheme will extend to the rest of the EU. Other initiatives included partnership agreements with the independent sector, £10 million in funding for mega clinics and the expansion of red flag and time critical capacity across some specialities. The announcement received support from the main parties. However, Alliance health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA noted that the lack of reference to mental health waiting lists was “greatly concerning”. Minister Nesbitt confirmed that more details on the initiatives will be provided later this month. He noted that investment “at this level” must be continued for at least five years to bring waiting lists to “acceptable levels”.

University leaders call for increase in tuition fees
On Thursday (8 May), Derry Now reported that the heads of Queen’s University, Ulster University and The Open University, Ireland have jointly written to NI political leaders warning that current financial arrangements are “not sustainable”. They warned that tuition fees for students from the island of Ireland are currently capped at £4,750 and have not kept pace with inflation, while costs have “risen dramatically”. They warned that continued underfunding would “inevitably lead to us having to take the difficult decision to reduce the proportion of local students in our institutions”. President of the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) Ben Friel told BBC News NI that universities were “asking students to bear the brunt of a broken system”. He noted that many students are already facing financial pressures, with almost one in five using foodbanks. 

Further Education lecturers say pay offer “falls short”
Unions representing Further Education (FE) lecturers have said a pay offer from Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald “falls short” of achieving pay parity with schoolteachers, a commitment made by former Economy Minister Conor Murphy. Minister Archibald yesterday (8 May) welcomed a pay offer which includes a 5.5% pay increase for 2024/25 and a 3.0% pay increase for 2025/26. However, Katharine Clarke from the University and College Union (UCU) told BBC News NI that under that offer, “lecturer pay will remain £2,200 lower per annum than schoolteachers”. Ms Clarke also said that employers support moving to pay parity with schoolteachers, but that their “hands have been tied” due to lack of budget allocation from the Executive. She said the pay offer represents “broken promises at ministerial level.”

Education Minister hosts TransformED School Leaders’ Conference
On Thursday (8 May), over 600 delegates, including 500 school leaders, attended the Department of Education’s TransformED School Leaders’ Conference. The conference focused on key areas in the TransformED NI Strategy, such as curriculum, assessment, improvement and profession learning. Also in attendance were members of the International Ministerial Advisory Panel. Education Minister Paul Givan said that education is the “foundation of everything we aspire to be as a society”. He noted that his goal is to “reform and revitalise” NI’s education system, adding that investing in education is “the most important investment we can make in our future”. 

60% of people in NI do not believe London-Brussels relations have improved NI’s relationship with the EU
On Thursday (8 May), the Belfast Telegraph reported on the recently published European Movement Ireland survey. The survey showed that 6 in 10 people in NI do not believe that the London-Brussels reset in relations has improved NI’s relationship with the EU and that 67% people surveyed in NI would support a United Ireland within the EU. The survey also found that 77% of those surveyed in NI supported EU membership, compared to 82% in Ireland, which is down by 2%. Those who viewed the EU negatively cited “economic and regulatory issues (30%)”, “immigration control (22%)” and “militarisation concerns (19%)” as reasons for their negative view of the EU. Whereas 49% of those surveyed in NI viewed the EU’s trade performance as its “strongest asset”. On trust of the EU institutions, 39% of those surveyed in NI said they did not trust the EU institutions and those surveyed in Ireland returned a similar figure, as 40% show distrust in the institutions.

Digital patient record system now rolled out to all Health and Social Care Trusts
On Thursday (8 May) the Department of Health stated that the encompass patient record system is now in place in all of the Health and Social Care Trusts, following the service being adopted in the Southern and Western Trusts. Encompass allows for a single digital record to be established for every NI citizen. Minister Nesbitt said, the completed rollout of encompass puts Northern Ireland “at the forefront of health service delivery”. Tom Simpson, Deputy Chief Digital Information Officer at the Department of Health and Director of Digital Health and Care Northern Ireland said, “today is a really important day for the transformation of our Health and Care sector”, adding that encompass improves access to workers and “eliminates heavy paper records” and “reduces repeat tests”.

Northern Ireland MPs highlight impact of proposed film tariffs on NI industry
On Wednesday 7 May, Stuart Andrew MP (Conservative, Daventry), an urgent oral question on the potential impacts of a US imposed 100% tariff on foreign-produced film was debated. During ths, Sammy Wilson MP (DUP, East Antrim) highlighted the importance of the film industry in Northern Ireland and asked that the Minister ensures that NI’s “voice in heard” during discussions with the US administration. Responding, Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms said Mr Wilson makes a “good point”, and confirmed he has had engagement with the NI Executive on the matter and will continue to do so. Robin Swann MP (UUP, South Antrim) noted that the “uncertainty of President Trump’s comments puts an unsettledness in the industry”, especially in NI. He advocated for Northern Ireland Screen to be included in ministerial meetings on the matter, which the Minister accepted.

Minister Kimmins highlights the importance of accessible transport
On Wednesday (7 May), Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins attended her Department’s Inclusive Transport & Travel conference. This focused on the Including People Foundation, which aspires to “improve social inclusiveness to transport and travel”. The event is part of the Department’s ‘Foundations for a Better Future’ and included a cross-section of organisations in Belfast. Minister Kimmins noted that accessibility in transport “is more than providing ramps or designated seating”, but ensuring “dignity, equality and the ability to live without barriers”. She concluded that accessible transport is “a cornerstone of social inclusion”.

First and deputy First Ministers commend investment in Belfast International Airport
On Tuesday (6 May) the First Minister and deputy First Minister opened the first phase of a £100 million investment programme at Belfast International Airport. The investment facilitated a new terminal extension and a new arrivals area. First Minister Michelle O’Neill said that “improving” NI’s air connectivity with Europe and the rest of the world is “key for growing businesses and tourism”. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly commended the new facilities and stated that she has “no doubt” the airport will “continue to grow as a regional asset”.

Taoiseach welcomes exclusion of medicines from list of proposed EU countermeasures to US tariffs
On Thursday (8 May), the European Commission published a list of proposed “countermeasures” that will impose tariffs on a range of US goods if no deal is reached before the end of the 90-day pause on Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. The Irish Independent reports that pharma products and semiconductors were excluded, but that threats remain for the Irish economy, with tariffs being proposed against Ryanair supplier Boeing, and on US whiskey and horses, which might lead to further US retaliation. Taoiseach Micheál Martin told reporters “no-one’s aims are going to be completely met in the context of a trade war”, and said the Government would examine the list in its entirety. He said he was “happy” that the Commission had excluded pharma and medicine, given its “huge impact on lifespan” and the economic importance of the industry. In a statement, Tánaiste Simon Harris emphasised that “a negotiated solution remains very clearly the goal and the preferred outcome” of Ireland and the EU as a whole. `

Government urged to enact Occupied Territories Bill before summer recess
On Wednesday, Tánaiste Simon Harris met with Independent Senator Francis Black, author of the Occupied Territories Bill, to discuss the Government’s plans to advance the legislation. The Bill would prohibit imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. According to RTÉ News, Ms Black urged the Government to move the legislation forward before the summer recess. She told the Tánaiste that a full trade ban covering both goods and services is necessary. Mr Harris has indicated that his focus is on bringing forward a Bill banning trade in goods only. He said that the Government was working to bring forward a Bill in this form “within weeks”. Mr Harris also said he would write to the European Commission urging it to review the trade association agreement with Israel. It comes as Ireland and five other countries (Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain) published a joint statement condemning Israel’s plans for further military escalation in Gaza.

Public Accounts Committee to examine ‘profiteering’ on asylum seeker accommodation
On Thursday (8 May), the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee met for the first time since the general election in November 2024. Its new chairperson, Sinn Féin TD John Brady, said the Committee will prioritise examining what he termed “massive profiteering” in the provision of accommodation for those seeking asylum in Ireland. “People have become millionaires providing sometimes poor quality accommodation in a deeply flawed system while communities have lost vital local facilities including hotels,” said Mr Brady. He said there had been very little transparency over which companies had been awarded contracts to run so-called “direct provision centres”. Mr Brady said the cost of the International Protection Accommodation Service last year was €1 billion and was projected to exceed €1.2 billion this year. He said the Committee will also examine cost overruns on the new national children’s hospital and on the failed IT system for the Arts Council.

The DUP and Sinn Féin have given up on devolving taxes – Newton Emerson
Writing in Thursday’s Irish News, Newton Emerson argues that the two largest parties are no longer making the case for devolving more tax powers to the Executive. He notes that “only a handful” of Sinn Féin and DUP MLAs attended a recent Assembly opposition day debate on the topic with Finance Minister John O’Dowd only arriving at the debate to vote against the motion. Emerson highlights that further devolution of fiscal powers is “supposedly a flagship Sinn Féin policy”. In 2021, former Finance Minister Conor Murphy set up the Fiscal Commission, a panel of experts which would examine the issue. The Commission made 23 recommendations including devolution of stamp duty, landfill tax and partial devolution of income tax. At the time, Murphy gave the report “an enthusiastic welcome”, Emerson says, However, more recently Sinn Féin have been “kicking it into the long grass.” In response to a recent SDLP question, current Finance Minister John O’Dowd said the Fiscal Commission was “continuing its work”, and had to be reminded that the commission has not existed for three years. Emerson questions whether Sinn Féin “has ever been serious about fiscal devolution”, and suggests it “wanted to appear serious” ahead of elections in the Republic. Emerson suggests that another possible reason for fiscal devolution’s demise may be that “the DUP would apparently refuse to cooperate, dooming the policy regardless.” DUP MLA Diane Forsythe said in last week’s debate “we do not believe that the capacity exists in departments or in the Northern Ireland Civil Service to manage further complex and fundamental elements of the tax system”. Emerson reflects that the DUP has “lost the visionary ambition” it had when advocating for the devolution of corporation tax a decade ago.  If either party “ever wanted the responsibility for raising revenue”, he concludes, they now “scarcely even bothering to pretend”.

Monday 12 May
NI Assembly Plenary session – Question Time: First Minister and deputy First Minister, Education Minister; Private Members’ Business: Tackling Unacceptable Cancer Waiting Times (DUP); International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (Alliance) – View the full Order Paper here.

Tuesday 13 May
NI Assembly Plenary session – Question Time: Economy Minister; Committee Business: Consideration Stage: Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill; Private Members’ Business: Tackling the Impact of Online Harms on Young People (SDLP); Adjournment: Impact of the A5 Western Transport Corridor on Local Communities (Tom Buchanan, DUP) – View the full Order Paper here. 

Wednesday 7 May
The Assembly Committees for Infrastructure, Economy, Finance, Education, and The Executive Office will meet – View committee agendas here.  

Thursday 8 May
The Assembly Committees for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Communities, Health, Justice and the Public Accounts Committee will meet. View committee agendas here. 

Tuesday 13 May
NICVA and Department of Education engagement event on 16-18 Legislation consultation, Online – Read more here.

Friday 16 May
Insider ‘Made in Northern Ireland’ Awards 2025 – Titanic Museum Belfast – Read more here.

Monday 19 May
UK-EU Summit in London.

Saturday 31 May
Deadline to submit feedback to the Murphy Review of the Windsor Framework – Read more here.

May 2025 – date tbd
Assembly to approve Budget 2025-26

Friday 13 – Saturday 14 June
Scottish Conservatives Party Conference – Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Friday 27 – Sunday 29 June
Welsh Labour Party Conference – Venue Cymry, Llandudno

Monday 30 June
Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel to submit its report to the NI Secretary – Read more here.

June 2025 – date tbd
British Irish Council hosted by the NI Executive.

Tuesday 1 July – Thursday 2 July
ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference, Waterfront Hall, Belfast – Read more here.

Saturday 5 July
NI Assembly summer recess begins

Tuesday 22 July
UK Parliament summer recess
Publication of the M

Sunday 31 August
NI Assembly returns from summer recess

Friday 5 September
NI Chamber Festival of Business – St. George’s Market, Belfast – Read more here.

Friday 19 September
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation Annual Conference – Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk – Read more here.

Friday 19 – Saturday 20 September
DUP Party Conference – Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 September
Liberal Democrats Party Conference – Bournemouth International Centre

Sunday 28 September – Wednesday 1 October
Labour Party Conference – ACC Liverpool

Friday 3 October – Saturday 4 October
SDLP Conference – Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Friday 3 – Sunday 5 October
Green Party of England and Wales Conference – Bournemouth International Centre

Sunday 5 October – Wednesday 8 October
Conservative Party Conference – Manchester Central Convention Complex

Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November
NI Assembly Halloween recess

Saturday 13 December
NI Assembly Christmas recess